See these presentations from our DOC to learn more about MRM’s coaching philosophy:
§ MRM Development Overview -
§ MRM K-2nd Grade Overview
§ We want every child:
o to be physically active and have fun playing the game of soccer.
o to develop a comfort level with the ball at his/her feet
o to be allowed to make decisions with minimal instruction during the game segment.
o to learn basic positional sense (covering space).
§ Foundation
o Stopping and Starting
o Changing direction at different angles
o Using both feet
o Pulling the ball back with the sole of the foot
o Cutting and turning with the ball
§ Kindergarten Format
o 30 minute coach-mentoring clinic (parent-coaches and site director)
§ professional coaching demo of activities
§ Practice plan and feedback provided weekly
o 45 minutes of Activities (Team A= Field A)
o Balanced teams (mix of players)
o 
o Kindergarten Rules
§ Kick in’s or dribble in’s (no throw in’s)
§ Scoring team drops to their own half of field after a goal is scored
§ No Corner Kick’s- ball over the end-line is always re-entered by the defensive team
§ Keep It Competitive Kids (KICK)
§ Add additional player
§ Match up players
§ No Scores are kept!
§ No Standings are kept!
§ 1st and 2nd Grade Program Overview
o 30 minute coach-mentoring clinic (parent-coaches and site director)
§ professional coaching demo of activities
§ Practice plan and feedback provided weekly
o 45 minutes of activities (Team A= Field A)
o 40 minute game segment (20 minute halves)
o Dual field approach
o Balanced teams (mix of schools)
§ 1st Grade Game Format
o 
§ Why 3v3 to 4 Goals?
o The 3v3 to 4 goals format is one of the best exercises for players to learn to “read the game” and make decisions without coaches telling them what to do. This is consistent with the MRM approach that the game is the greatest teacher.
o In 3v3 the defense cannot defend both goals equally. This should, in time, teach the players to recognize the 2v1 situation and which goal is the best one to attack. This is why we prefer to play 3v3 over 4v4.
§ 2nd Grade Format
o 
§ Why 5v5?
o To ease the transition to the 7v7 game format mandated by US Soccer for the fall of 2016
o To encourage more spacing (width and depth) on the field by asking all teams to follow a 1-3-1 system of play
o 
§ 1st and 2nd grade basic rule
o All restarts are done with a dribble in or a kick in.
o After a goal is scored, ask the scoring team to return to their half of the field.
o When the ball goes out over the end-line, the ball is re-entered from the restart line.
o Coaches should police (ref) the game to ensure that it is safe, but it is best if they remain 2 to 3 yards from the sideline. No need to run up and down the field with the players.
§ The Rush Way